Volvo has unveiled the most powerful version yet of its new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, Drive-E engine line-up.

The new petrol unit is described as being ‘triple charged’ and develops 444bhp – a huge 222bhp per litre. Volvo’s current range-topping production petrol Drive-E engine, the T5, develops 245bhp. However, there’s no news yet as to a likely launch date for the new motor.

The new engine uses two conventional turbochargers supplemented by an electrically powered ‘turbo-compressor’. The triple-charging setup is also supplemented by a fuel pump running at an unusually high 250 bar pressure.

The turbo-compressor is used to ‘spool up’ the two turbochargers when the engine is running at low revs, dramatically reducing turbo lag and off-boost performance. 

Volvo engineers claim that this new forced-induction set-up “enables a very dynamic drivability without any turbo lag.” The company says that its suppliers AVL, Denso and Volvo Polestar Racing have all been involved in the system’s development. 

Volvo's R&D boss Dr. Peter Mertens said: “When we launched the Drive-E powertrain family, our aim was to deliver the most advanced four-cylinder engines in the industry based on emissions and fuel consumption relative to performance and drivability.

"We knew that 316bhp in our petrol configuration was just a starting point. The 444bhp High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept, demonstrates this ambition and the versatility of the Drive-E powertrains."

“The result is a quite unique engine with high power yet quick response. Above all, its compact size improves weight distribution between the front and rear axle and lowers the centre of gravity - two factors that have a significant effect on the handling, whether it is a race car or a street car,” said Mattias Evensson, race engine director at Volvo Polestar Racing.

“It may sound odd, but this 444bhp powertrain concept is an important part of the Drive-E development program. Down-sizing must offer customers attractive and usable power for broad scale emissions reduction to work. Compact powertrains also free up space and weight in the structure of the car, which can be used for electrification and even further emissions reduction. And that is our ultimate ambition,” said Mertens.